As I said before, did you know that an average cat will consume over 173 grams of hair a year?

You can help stop this madness – stop the coughing…, the near-choking…, the lovely hair-filled vomit-like residue that comes up, and that horrible gut-wrenching noise that our kittehs make when they are going through such ill norms of kitty-cat life…

…How?

Amy Smart with REAL Cat Hair!

FURMINATE YOUR CAT!

And celebrate National Hairball Awareness Day with me today and take an oath to regularly brush Fluffy and Muffy.

To celebrate today, I made Amy Smart (the actress) out of cat hair for a group contest (I lost but it’s okay b/c it goes to show how much hair comes off one cat in one SWIPE…) See picture to right of Amy Smart…

I also used her because I got to meet her at an ASPCA event  – see picture to left…

Amy Smart and I at ASPCA Event

Furminator teamed up with a bunch of pet bloggers this year to raise awareness of the importance of brushing your cats. And before I share my story or picture, I want to let you know

I’m GIVING AWAY ONE MEDIUM-SIZED CAT FURMINATOR in honor of today!

How do you win?

Well tell me your cat’s craziest, zaniest hairball story; or submit a pic of the most hair you can get off of him OR a pic of what a hairy mess he currently is to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com (I promise the Furminator will increase that amount of hair…).

Contest runs through NEXT FRIDAY ONLY and entries won’t be accepted after 6 pm EST. ThoughtsFurPaws.com Admins will announce the winner next Friday night around 9 pm EST, maybe a bit earlier! So send us your fur pictures or a picture of the furry mess your cat is in – whatever you think is best. We want to see some cat hair people!!

So anyhow, I ran my own little test with the Furminator tool.

** It increased the hair that I got off Maxwell in one day by half (versus just a joe-average-cat brush bought at PetSmart for $4.99).

Maxwell’s undercoat was coming out with the Furminator, which didn’t happen with the regular brush, and his little behind was SO SO soft after I finished brushing him (which took an hour thank you very much because he kept wanting to bite the tool, or my hand. Finally I subdued him with his Pickle-Tickle toy, which we got courtesy Gracey the Tiniest Tiger – Thanks Grace!)

(Gracey also told us that the #1 condition reported by 35 percent of cat-owning households is hairballs!)

Anyhow, you really gotta see it to believe it so I challenge all of you to purchase your own Furminator.

YOUR CAT WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT.

They are so much lighter, airier, and they breathe easier knowing they’re shedding less and looking better, too!

I swear Mad Maxwell was swaggering around here like a damn cougar after he got brushed – showing off his handsome new self… (even though he almost took my hand off at one point- he LOVED the end result).

Do you know what Maxwell does NOW when he sees the Furminator? He starts his motor up – loud.

And he rubs his face against it and sometimes will start the brushing session FOR me.

Enter the Furminator Giveaway at ThoughtsFurPaws@gmail.com! And don’t forget to brush your kitty to save him from swallowing that unsavory stuff!

Last Monday, Iams announced their AWESOME new Facebook contest: “Play Young, Stay Young!”

Each week, for eight weeks, the team at Iams will pick one cat and one dog winner based on a photo and 100-word essay submission from pet parents. It’s super-simple to enter!

They’re basically looking for pets that essentially refuse to act their age…!

Each winning animal will receive a year’s supply of Iams Senior Plus! They’ll have a total of 16 winners by June 3!

So to help Iams get their contest started, as an official Iams blogger, I wanted to ask you, my devoted readers, for some help.

-  Do you have tips on how to keep YOUR super-senior (11+) pets staying and feeling young? What do you do to ensure the ongoing health of your super-senior pets?

Please read below for the full press release details of the contest; and look forward to more posts from me on Iams throughout April, May and June! Every couple of Saturdays, I’ll be posting the Honorable Mention photo/essay contest winners for you all to see!

“In honor of their newest formula, Senior Plus, today, IAMS is launching a national contest on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/IAMS) calling all pet parents of dogs and cats age 11 and older to put their animal’s best paw forward for the chance to win a year’s supply of food. With as many as 33 million pets in the U.S. in the double-digit age bracket, IAMS created this contest as a fun and playful way to shine a spot light on those pets who don’t allow age to get in the way of the games they play, while educating consumers about the unique nutritional needs for pets 11 and older.

Starting today through June 3, each week, based on a photo and brief essay, the team at IAMS will select a dog and cat that exemplify how 11+ pets can play young, to stay young. Interested pet parents should visit www.facebook.com/IAMS to enter their cat or dog into the contest. A total of 16 pets (eight dogs and eight cats) will receive a year’s supply of IAMS Senior Plus and be featured on the IAMS Facebook page.

“On the heels of introducing our new Senior Plus formula, we launched the ‘Play Young, Stay Young’ contest to offer pet parents a fun and unique opportunity to celebrate their 11 and older four-legged family members with the chance to win free food for a year,” said Laura Lewis, external relations manager, IAMS. “We’re all looking forward to reading the many entries that bring to life how cats and dogs can really benefit from a proper diet and active lifestyle.”

 Stay Young, Play Young Contest

Iams Senior Pets Photo Montage

Consumers can enter the contest on the IAMS’ Facebook page April 9 through June 3, 2012 by submitting a current photo of their dog or cat and explaining in 100 words or less how their pet refuses to act his or her age. Each week, IAMS will select and announce a winning cat and dog who will receive a free year’s supply of Senior Plus food. At the end of the eight weeks, a total of 16 pets will be featured on the IAMS Facebook page and all will receive food for a year! For more information, including contest rules and regulations, entry form and more, please visit Facebook.com/IAMS.

Finding the Right Formula for 11+ Pets

It’s more important than ever to ensure pet owners make smart nutritional choices throughout every stage of a dog’s and cat’s life. With this in mind, IAMS introduced Senior Plus diets to specifically address the unique needs of pets age 11 and older.

IAMS Senior Plus is available in the brand’s ProActive Health and Premium Protection formulas for cats and small to medium breed dogs age 11 and older, and ProActive Health for large breed dogs age 9 and older, at pet specialty stores, mass retailers and grocers.

To learn more about IAMS Senior Plus, visit www.IAMS.com.

Spring Naturals, who you have read about before on ThoughtsFurPaws – just Search it – is all about vitality, a fresh state of mind. It’s the feeling you get when you consider the abundance of life, and the good things from earth that grow and thrive.

It was this concept that inspired the creation of Spring Naturals – a complete family of natural dinners and treats designed to nurture the health and well-being of dogs of any breed.

And now, this concept of growing and thriving in the community will touch residents and pets in need across the United States through “Spring Into Action.”

Spring Naturals is launching the “Spring Into Action” program – starting in May – to recognize outstanding community members who are making a difference in the lives of animals in need.

In addition to honoring animal advocates on the Spring Naturals Facebook page,they will also recognize the animal rescue group of the everyday hero’s choice.

So, each month an everyday hero will be chosen and the animal rescue group they support will be highlighted on the Spring Naturals Facebook page; each winner will receive a 26 lb. bag of Spring Naturals dog food along with a 6 oz.treat pouch (estimated retail value over $75.). Next March, the selected grand prize winner’s favorite animal rescue organization or shelter will receive $2,000 (retail value) in Spring Naturals dog food PLUS a $500 cash donation! COOL!

According to the press release, ““At Spring Naturals, we value the pets in our lives and wanted to find a way to give the spotlight to everyday heroes working day in and day out to save the lives of pets in need,” said Rob Cadenhead, VP-Sales & Marketing. “With the idea of supporting those on the front lines of animal welfare, ‘Spring Into Action’ was born!”

To celebrate the first day of spring, Spring Naturals also teamed up with Project Rescue Chicago, an organization that is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abandoned dogs. Project Rescue Chicago is one of the few rescue groups where the directors spend every single day with the dogs to ensure adopters find their perfect match.

In honor of this program, Project Rescue Chicago named an adoptable dog Spring. When Spring is adopted, Spring Naturals will provide food and treats for the dog for one year. For more information about Project Rescue Chicago, please visit www.projectrescuechicago.org.

To learn more about Spring Naturals, please visit www.springnaturals.com or www.facebook.com/SpringNaturals.

The votes are tallied – as of 5 pm EST today the voting was closed and we are ready to announce the winners of the Valentine’s Day Doggie Photo Contest!

Bailey

First, thank you SO SO much to our sponsors: the dog photo and cute story contest was generously sponsored by the following brands: Stella and Chewy’s®, Spring Naturals™ and Lickety Stik® by PetSafe®!

Of course, the ThoughtsFurPaws team is throwing in some additional matching gifts as we:

* had a tie and

* an Honorable Mention in honor of Henry “the Peanut” Dartt-Smith, who passed away last Thursday, February 16th of cancer (please leave your words of comfort for my sister here…)

Calvin

THE WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1st Place: BAILEY

2nd Place: TIE between CALVIN and CHANCE!

Honorable Mention: HUNTLEY

Chance

** If you see your name, you received a TON of votes – and you have a darn cute pup!**

Please email your full name and address to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com (though I will be contacting you separately as well to get that info.)

Huntley

CONGRATS to all who entered – keep your ears peeled for more contests — a kitty photo/story in April and an any-pet one this summer

♥ Thanks and Congratulations again ♥

We loved every single entry and are so happy to have you all as readers and followers of ThoughtsFurPaws.com

We are so excited because (the big-hearted and animal welfare-aware) Lawrence Kasdan, Academy Award-nominated director of films like “The Big Chill” and “Wyatt Earp” is bringing audiences the bacon this spring with a full-length feature film about –

guess what-?

A DOG RESCUE! Hooray!

(Well it’s about other things, too, but of course we wanted to focus on the rescue aspect and the reward of that part. Even the director has feelings about that — see below section*)

“DARLING COMPANION” is a Sony Pictures film starring Academy Award winners and nominees up the ying-yang –big-time stars like Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Elisabeth Moss, Mark Duplass, Ayelet Zurer, Sam Shepard, and…. BUM BUM BUM…

Kasey the Dog!!!

Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline with Kasey the Doggie Star

“Darling Companion” is a movie that’s about something my family would do– and probably yours too if you frequent ThoughtsFurPaws.com. Check out the preview here.

… It goes like this:

—-

This is where the film takes a turn: the preview, obviously, won’t give you ending details — but does portray the awesome ensemble cast seriously turning up the humor, heartache, & heartiness in the feature film.

In a nutshell, the Sony Pictures rep told me: “On the side of a busy freeway, a woman finds the love, devotion, commitment, and courage she needs – all wrapped up in a bloodied stray dog who becomes her “darling companion.” When the beloved canine goes missing, a ‘shaggy-dog’ search adventure plays out, drawing together friends and family and rekindling a lifelong love.”

Watch the preview and you’ll be hooked! It’s classic Diane Lane – she’s at her best with emotions, laughter and that sassy yet classy ‘tude she always carries on-screen (a la “Something’s Gotta Give”) that we ladies all love and respect!

Kasdan, in the press kit, had this to say about the dog rescue-aspect of the film… I think it’s something I will forever respect, remember and know him for, and something that we ALL can relate to:

“Anyone who’s ever had a dog knows they live in the moment. That fact of their behavior can have a revivifying effect on the people around them. While humans worry about the future and mull over the past, dogs bring us back to the present with the uncomplicated joy they take in the here and now – getting outside with us for a walk, having their meal, being stroked.”

* “The movie probably began the day my wife Meg and I rescued a mutt named Mac from a cacophonous dog shelter in Los Angeles. After taking that dog into our lives and affections, he was lost during an outing in the Rockies. We spent three weeks searching, calling his name up and down mountain trails, enlisting our friends and family. The whole town was on the lookout. Just at the moment we had given up hope, a stranger who had seen our flyers found Mac playing with her dogs by the river. Mac was dirty and thin, but uninjured. Friends and searchers around town and across the country celebrated his recovery,” he said.

“We converged in Utah to shoot our movie with a limited budget and a tight schedule, helped along by some very remarkable dogs and their equally remarkable trainers… “Darling Companion” became one of the most gratifying film-making experiences I’ve ever had,” Kasdan added.

Crying yet?

Kasey the Dog, "Freeway" - Image Courtesy ExpoSay.com

You will in the movie – I can guarantee it. You’ll even cry happy tears in the preview!

Another notable tidbit about this movie… featuring our four-legged furry friends? (The doggie actor is Kasey – beautiful and smart, typical movie star right? – According to edhat.com, he was the only star at the premier that “drew ahhs from the hardened and professional press on the sidelines. He is one very cute pup.”

♥ ♥ On that note – for the record: ThoughtsFurPaws.com WHOLE-HEARTEDLY disagrees with the poo-poo review on the Montreal Gazette website’s blog “Cine Files” here saying, “the trailer is not at all promising.”

Growl, grrr, boo-hiss to that writer.

After all, filmmakers took inspiration not only from Mac’s three-week-long, outdoors-lost-rescue “tale,” but also from his sister-in-law’s very dramatic rescue of a dog on a busy Detroit freeway.

“She pulled over and scrambled up the embankment, just like Diane in the movie. It’s amazing how the instinct to protect an animal can galvanize you,” says Meg Kasdan, wife of director Lawrence. Her sister named the dog Freeway, and the name stuck to the movie’s canine character.

Another cool tidbit: the involvement of an entire mountain town in the search for a dog is true, including the participation of a friend who offered psychic clues to Mac’s whereabouts!

The “Darling Companion” movie opened at the  Santa Barbara International Film Festival and opens in LA and NY on April 20, 2012; it’s rated PG-13 and is just over an hour-and-a-half.

Here is the second part of the posting for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest…

♥ ♥ Please see the first entries here (along withe the RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED)! ♥ ♥

1. Abby and Service Dog Olivia

♥ ♥ You can read the Contest Announcement post here ♥ ♥

* And you can read the corresponding story for each picture in this post; pictures have numbers in the caption – check the number in the  content to read that cute or funny or heart-warming Valentine’s dog picture story! *

— *** —         — *** —-

2. Donna and Service Dog Sawyer

1. Abby and Service Dog Olivia:Here is a photo of me & my service dog, Olivia. I love the way she naturally posed next to me with our faces touching. When I look at this photo I see love and enjoyment in both our faces. This photo was taken Mother’s Day 2011 in Florida. It was one of the best days we have had in a long time….my sister lives in RI & I live in FL along w/ our parents. Our mother didn’t know of any Mother’s Day plans that year… I told her I needed something at her house & would be stopping by. When the door opened my mom said  “Hi Abby!” It took about 2 minutes for her to realize that it was my sister, Heather, standing in the living room. Surprise!! She was crying & squeezing my sister. We took this photo aboard a Water Taxi.

3. Dudley the Coton du Tulear

Olivia provides medical assistance for me & has given much independence & freedom to me. You know I don’t like getting old, but as we do, it’s nice to know we can do wonderful things for the Mom that put so much love and dedication into raising us..

Comment – BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE to a Mother… mine is my hero, too!

2. Donna and Service Dog Sawyer:My name is Donna I’m 42 years old and — I have Muscular Dystrophy, and am confined to a wheelchair.  My best friend is my handsome Blonde-Golden Retriever service dog Sawyer. I don’t know  how I ever made it without Sawyer. He can alert if I have a seizures, he turns my lights on and off, he opens and closes doors for me, he picks up things if I drop them, he can even dial 911. My husband says Sawyer watches me at night while I’m sleeping; he wakes us up if I’m breathing shallow. He changed my life forever; I

4. Sadie Getting Her Nails Painted

can go places and do things & never be afraid that there will be no one to help me if I need assistance. Even small things like pushing my arm back up on my arm rest with his nose, It’s like he just knows what I need him to do. You don’t get to pick your service dog, the dog has to pick you… Sawyer picked me and we bonded instantly.

Comment: OK, let me stop crying now!

3. Dudley the Coton de Tulear:Dudley the Coton de Tulear has been in our family for one year. He is pure love! His smile lights up the room. My husband has just gotten home, and he was so glad to see him!

5. Kash and Jesse

4. Gabriela Painting Sadie’s Nails: Sadie our 3-year-old Rottweiler gets her nails painted for Valentines – a beautiful hot pink – by my 10-year-old daughter Gabriela! We thought this picture was Valentines worthy since she doesn’t really like her feet touched!!

5. Kash and Jesse:This pic was taken by my sister, Michelle – it was just before Christmas and the red you see behind the dogs is a red tree skirt. Kash (female) is on the left and Jesse (male) is on the right. We adopted Kash from a local shelter here in Dallas; she was found with a puppy and since puppies are more likely to get adopted out we choose her. She

6. Lola

was only $25! She already had her ears clipped. Jesse and Kash get along very well and love each other as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Facebook question to Jennifer (owner): I don’t understand why you said you took her since puppies are more likely to get adopted…? Wouldn’t that make you want to take a dog that’s a bit older…? I mean no offense, I just don’t understand the explanation I guess…

6. Lola:This is Lola, she’s been the light of my life every since I lost my Border Collie to cancer back in 2010. We have the same birthday (Feb 7th) and I received her on my birthday. She will be 3 this year, and she’s such a blessing who has mended a broken heart.

7. Scout

Comment: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!

7. Scout: W-xoxo-f!… My beautiful Westie, ‘Scout,’ who has the biggest heart and loves everyone! Scout will share his prize with our local APL.. wxoxof! Thank you and blessings!

8. Tygeta

8. Tygeta in Her Condo!: This is my perfect little girl Taygeta [sic] in her condo. Tayeta [sic] was named after a star because she has brought such a bright shining light in to [sic] my life. I am sick & she has brought such joy to me it is amazing but all my dogs have! Tata is her (nickname) is  a angel in every way and is  always a winner even if she doesn’t win the contest! She will always be a winner in my eyes; she is treated like a princess and always will be along with the rest of my furry kids! Only a animal will love you for who you truly are.

Franklin the Dog Park Greeter!

The Friends of Lakewood Dog Park and Subaru sponsored an event yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, for My Best Friend’s Bowl (MBFB), a local pet food bank-sort of-animal welfare group. (They serve clients of Lakewood Community Services Center from Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake, Ohio ONLY right now until funding grows…)

The event aimed to increase food donations for cat and dog owners in Cleveland.

MBFB’s founder, Judy Towner, explained yesterday that she started the Cleveland pet food charity while working for a local food bank.

A “client” came to her on the side awhile back and said, “excuse me, you don’t happen to have a bag of dog food somewhere around, do you? I’ve been feeding my dog rice for a week or two now…”

Yes this broke her heart.

(Yes, it broke MY heart hearing it…)

But I have spoken before about the effects of the recession on pet abandonment. I would rather have Judy and My Best Friend’s Bowl put healthy, appropriate pet food in an animal’s bowl than have that particular animal (or multiple Cleveland animals) surrendered to a shelter or rescue that’s already over-loaded, or worse, let loose to run (and/or die and/or reproduce) on the streets.

* Side note: Since 2009, the amount of abandoned animals has skyrocketed. The American Humane Association estimated that in 2009 alone there were 8,000 foreclosures every day and with those – there were 15,000 to 26,000 animals in danger of losing their homes daily. (The ASPCA also issued several statements – one

"Stuff the Subarus!"

here in February 2009. The harm to animals because of the economy and foreclosure crisis problems started affecting household pets as early as the summer of 2008.)

Anyhow, the Subaru station wagons appearing at the Lakewood Dog Park yesterday were quite large…! And, by about 12:45 p.m., which was 45 minutes before the end of the event, they were filled to the brim with goodies, as you can see from the photos.  There were all types of cat food, cat treats, dog food, dog supplies and dog bones there…. Some kind folks from Subaru even made cat nip toys to sell and donate proceeds to the cause. Plus there was a half-full donation jar at the head of the park (at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes in…)

Needless to say, this event was a rousing success.

Some dog park regulars who came said they were impressed at the turnout. One man, “Skee,” said that he’s a “3 pm regular… but [the event had] brought dog-lovers and animal welfare folks from all around the area as far as [he] could tell.”

I myself talked to folks from as far away as East Side suburbs, a good 40-minute drive.

Again, the Super Bowl Sunday Pet Food Donation Drive was a smashing Subaru success. I waited to post this until today because I wanted to get a final tally – the last count was 1,030 pounds of food! HOORAH!!

Just one of TWO Subarus STUFFED with dog/cat goodies...

Yip-Yip-Hooray!

The ThoughtsFurPaws admins encourage you all to “LIKE” the Lakewood Dog Park and My Best Friend’s Bowl on Facebook to garner more support for them.

*** And if you live here check out the regular dog park pooches including, Peanut, Franklin, Ignacio (who knows Latin and doesn’t stop kissing), Cass (who is a sweet rescue girl just coming around) et al. ***

And, should you be interested in getting a pet-friendly car in Cleveland, Ohio — Subaru has a reputation around town, and they’re famous for being the most animal-friendly car in the country — please contact Laurie at Ganley Westside Subaru, 25730 Lorain Rd. in North Olmstead. You can also call 216-513-9565 with inquiries.

Thanks Subaru and My Best Friend’s Bowl for saving the lives of Cleveland animals –

- and for helping Cleveland families in need who would otherwise have to let go of their beloved four-legged fur friends!

** By the way, if you’re planning to donate to a pet food drive or bring food to a shelter/rescue, PLEASE ensure that your wares ARE NOT EXPIRED. Judy – who is thankfully extremely thorough — received quite a few cases of expired dog food on Sunday  — it is so old it’s considered poisonous…  She told me that “a man brought 15 cases of dog food. I always check dates on them and out of the 180 cans he brought, I found only 12 cans I can use. Maybe … you could advise your followers/readers that if they are going to donate something … to please check the date. His was from 2007-2010 and when I turned the cans to check the date, I actually heard them slosh inside! POISON!!! This also goes for their own food. Sometimes they don’t realize how long it’s been on the shelf!!” **

I know that 99 % of us pet rescuers/volunteers/etc have the best intentions, but you MUST be detailed in your giving or in-kind donating – and ensure the goodness of the food (and other things too – like that your check won’t bounce, causing the organization more for a return fee than the original donation, for example — things like that.) The thought actually crossed my mind that there are malicious and mean volunteers who are only doing it because they are on paper or something.

So please, everyone double-check everything & DO NOT give your dog or cat expired ANYTHING-especially medication (that’s what my vet said on the phone from Avon Lake Animal Clinic in Lorain County, Ohio.).

So, for the Valentine’s Day Doggie Photo Contest — here are the entries (first round). ( See announcement post HERE.)

And, more importantly – here are the RULES for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest - please read carefully or you will not be qualified!

** CONTEST RUNS NOW thru Feb. 13th, 6 pm EST. The last entrants will be posted Feb 13th (evening) or Feb 14th; you are highly encouraged to get your cute dog pictures in early because voting ends February 18.

Winners will be announced the night of the 18th or on the 19th some time… Prizes will be coming from Spring Naturals, Stella and Chewy’s, Lickety Stik, PetSmart and more

♥ Please send a dog picture accompanied by a brief story about the dog, explaining why he/she should win, why you chose this particular photo, etc. ♥

♥ It should obviously be one of your funnier/cuter dog photos  ♥

RULES:

1. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote or per name/email if you comment your vote in).

2. If you leave a fake email address on your comment to try to stuff comment voting, your vote will not be counted.

3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS and I will test the emails.

YOU MUST ENTER A DOG – BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR DOG - please see numbers 7 and 9 in this post and then tell me what YOU think of this rule...  At ThoughtsFurPaws.com, readers RULE; so it’s up to you guys. The Admins and I will also weigh in before the next post and leave a message after we get some COMMENT VOTES!!! (See next two points on voting please!)

4. No voting on Facebook — send your readers HERE to vote in comment. You can post this post on FB – but VOTES on FB won’t count because not everyone has an account there…

5. Remember: Readers can vote by emailing two votes per email address to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com or by commenting on THIS POST or the ANNOUNCEMENT POST HERE

Please check out the pix below and the stories included therein – each cute dog picture has a number and a corresponding story

1. AVA

2. BAILEY

3. CHANCE

4. FENRIS

5. GEORGIA

6. JACKSON

7. JAKE

8. LIBBYLU and MAX

9. MARIA and TACO

1.AVA: Ava, the Italian Greyhound, is the ultimate snuggle bug and loves nothing more than to be burrowed under covers, sleeping. This picture nails her personality so perfectly. She pops her head out of her ‘nest’ every so often to make sure she approves of what is going on around the house, and then snuggles back in.

2. BAILEY: This is a favorite photo because the three teddy bears are Bailey’s cuddle mates & he seemed delighted to have them get dressed up for Valentine’s Day for photos with him. Bailey wishes everyone a happy holiday!

3.  CHANCE: Chance was tied to a train track and hit by a couple of trains, so he has some back end damage and has to wear a diaper. We were going to a Blessing of the Animals event and my friend Rod didn’t want Chance to be embarrassed so he dressed him up. (Which probably embarrassed him more but he looks so darned cute, who cares!)

10. CALVIN

4. FENRIS:  I love this picture of Fenris because he looks so happy. He is a true treasure and such a good dog. I think the cats would even agree that he is a good doggie… After all, he doesn’t chase them and he will even let them eat dry food out of his bowl. Surely you can’t fault him for being unwilling to share the canned dog food

5. GEORGIA: This pretty girl was a Father’s Day gift for my husband – AND SHE HAS ALREADY MADE THE COVER OF A MAGAZINE! (She was on XXX – see 2nd pic at bottom). Georgia’s Mom didn’t want her at first but realized after taking her friend to multiple 8-hour chemo sessions how wonderful animals are and how helpful they can be (Ahem, hello Sasha!)

5. GEORGIA on Country Roads Magazine

11. OLIVER

6. JACKSON:  Jackson, a Spaniel mix, is “my playful boy who loves nothing more than to be outside running around in the cold!” This picture was taken at the dog park on one of the coldest days of the year. I was in several layers of clothes and still freezing, and Jackson was totally in his element. I swear, he must be part Siberian Husky!

7. JAKE: Jake He 9-years-old and the “best dog I’ve ever seen.”  He is so pleasant and well-behaved.  He likes to sit outside but this day it was cold so his owner puts out a mattress, a pillow and a blanket for him.  He doesn’t even have a leash.  He does not go past the yard.  The entrant said she “just had to take a picture: so I don’t think Jake can win since the entrant doesn’t own a dog. However, Jake did just sit there and pose; and since he is so nice, if you would like to vote for him, we can send the prize to his neighbor and she can take his winnings to him. Let me know what you all think.

8. “LIBBYLU” and MAX: Both rescued from Wisconsin shelters over three years ago… these Golden Retrievers are well-loved by their families and now enjoy the life of spoiled dogs  instead of being behind a cage…

9. MARIA and TACO: Maria, and her dog Taco Bell, are inseparable and go everywhere together. Maria is a professional Salsa dancer in Southwest Florida and Taco Bell has been the designated mascot for her dance troupe for 3 years now! In their spare time, Maria & Taco like to sunbathe in the hammock under palm trees and walk along Ft. Myers beaches.

10. CALVIN: This is my furry Valentine Calvin, the love of my life. He was born with a heart defect, but will soon undergo surgery to repair his tiny heart, so Valentine’s Day is special for us. There is no guarantee that he will survive the risky surgery, but without it he has no chance at all. I take many pics of Calvin but this is one of my favorites.  Calvin was a little cold at an outdoor event, so he wrapped himself up in his special blanket! His personality is just as it appears in the photo, sweet and innocent with a side of mischief.  I am thankful every day that this puppy came into my life.  He has taught me so much about unconditional love and never losing hope.

11. OLIVER: Introducing Oliver: he is a 5-year-old Wire-Haired Dachshund who is a natural “ham!” He is wonderful in every way. Children and adults alike are always smiling when He is around. Oliver is just a happy, charismatic pup, very much loved by his family!

REMEMBER READERS and VOTERS:

The RULES for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest  must be followed or you could be disqualified (I am accusing no one of anything illegal contest-wise , but people HAVE tried to take advantage in the past b/c ThoughtsFurPaws is inherently known for its CRAZY-GOOD prize packages:))

CONTEST RUNS NOW thru Feb. 13th, 6 pm EST.

♥ Please send a dog picture accompanied by a brief story about the dog, explaining why he/she should win, why you chose this particular photo, etc. It should obviously be one of your funnier/cuter dog photos  ♥

1. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote or per name/email if you comment your vote in).

2. If you leave a fake email address on your comment to try to stuff comment voting, your vote will not be counted.

3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS – and we WILL be testing emails.

4. YOU MUST ENTER A DOG – BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR DOG - please see numbers 7 and 9 in this post and then tell me what YOU think of this rule...  At ThoughtsFurPaws.com, readers RULE; so it’s up to you guys but the Admins and I will also make a decision before the next post and leave a comment after we get some COMMENT VOTES!!! (See next two points on voting please!)

5. No voting on Facebook — send your readers HERE to vote in comment.

6. Readers can vote by emailing two votes per email address to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

See original Announcement post from a couple days ago here.

And get your entries in fast

  ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥   ♥ ♥

So here are two BIG Super Bowl ads you simply cannot miss this Sunday as they have our four-legged friends as the main attraction…

Funny Super Bowl ads from years passed featuring dogs and cats (or other animals as the main performers) have always been big hits! The past performers have always big big passed performers!!

So you must check out the just-released video link to the highly anticipated follow-up to the Darth Vader VW commercial:

“The Dog Strikes Back” (had tears of laughter from this one – first part is WAY funnier than second part)

“]

VW Super Bowl Dog Ad [Image Courtesy DesignYouTrust.com

According to Todd Wasserman’s post on Mashable Business, where I got it: “A chubby dog gets in shape to chase a Beetle in Volkswagen’s long-awaited sequel to its “The Force” Super Bowl ad from last year.

“And don’t worry, there’s a shout out to Star Wars as well.”

Is He a Bit Chubby? YES. Adorable? YES. Wanna Take Him Home? YES. Hilarious? YES!

Keep in mind, the #1 Most Shared Super Bowl Ad this year is “The Barkside:” VW’s 2011 Tribute: “The sequel to the most-shared ad of last year’s Super Bowl, and of all of 2011 for that matter, is leading the pack this year. Volkswagen released this video last week showing dogs barking to the tune of Star Wars’ “The Imperial March.” So does that mean there will be dogs in this year’s ad? More Star Wars? We’ll know soon enough,” Wasserman said on Mashable.

——- ***** ——-

♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ Now there is also THIS hilarious (and SUPER-CUTE!) one to watch out for – from the animal-loving ‘wilderness’ car company, Suzuki ◊ ◊ ♦ ♦

For the second year, Suzuki is throwing its ad/marketing hat into the ring during the Super Bowl with “Sled.”

The stars of Suzuki’s commercial (in addition to its Kizashi sports sedan, of course) this year, however, are of the four-legged variety Our favorite kind ∞

The sled dog team featured in “Sled” are actual snow dogs that Suzuki found at a touring company in Alberta, Canada, near where the ad was shot. The actor dogs were coordinated/handled by Flo Krisko, one of the most respected animal coordinators and trainers in the Motion Picture Association of America. All dogs were securely harnessed in while in the vehicle and a representative from the American Humane Association’s Film and Television Unit attended the “Sled” shoot.

“Sled“

2012 Super Bowl Spot Suzuki Dogs

American Suzuki Motor Corp. today premiered the final version of its 2012 Super Bowl commercial – entitled “Sled” – on its Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube pages. After previewing its big game ad last week, Suzuki upgraded the music in its television spot with a music track by well-known rapper 50 Cent. The artist’s song “Movin On Up” is fitting for Suzuki’s “Sled” advertisement, which illustrates the exhilaration one can receive from upgrading their ordinary daily driver with a more entertaining mode of transportation. In the ad, an Eskimo trades in his dog-powered snow sled for an all-wheel-drive 2012 Kizashi sport sedan. 

Developed by El Segundo, Calif.-based advertising agency Siltanen & Partners Advertising, Suzuki’s “Sled” television spot is set in an isolated mountain location. “Sled” opens with an early morning scene where an Eskimo and his dogsled team ride off into the horizon. As the landscape changes from morning to evening, the quiet still of the frozen tundra gives way to vibrations and a hint of something new in the distance. A Kizashi – accompanied by 50 Cent’s “Movin On Up” – comes driving into view with one of the Huskies’ heads sticking out of the front passenger window enjoying its owner’s new mode of transport. The spot then cuts to the interior of the vehicle, revealing the other sled dogs buckled into the back seat and the Eskimo behind the wheel of the Kizashi – all of whom are digging the lavish accommodations and warm interior of the car, while bumping their heads and tapping their paws to the song’s beat. The Eskimo pulls up to his igloo and his wife comes out to greet him. With a puzzled look on her face, and in her native Inuit tongue, she asks, “Where’s the sled?” The man replies, “I traded it in,” (the conversation is subtitled in English).

A Suzuki Super Bowl Pup Enjoying a Pooch Pastime!

Suzuki’s 2012 Super Bowl spot will air both in 60-second and 30-second formats in the company’s top retail locations across the U.S. “Sled” will continue to run following the Super Bowl in conjunction with a new Suzuki advertising campaign scheduled to debut in March.

In addition, starting on Super Bowl Sunday, Suzuki will give away BARKCODE® tags to the first 1,000 consumers to register on www.KizashiKicks.com/sled.

Each personalized pet identification tag has a scannable 2D code, making it easy for pet owners to be reunited with their four-legged friends when they are lost or even misplaced during a natural disaster.

COOLEST PART????

— With each tag that is ordered through the Kizashi Kicks website, BARKCODE®, on behalf of Suzuki, will donate $3 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief and preparation to help people and pets!!!!

* For additional information on BARKCODE®, please visit www.barkcode.com/.

** A PUPDATE with more previously unseen commercials with pets on the way tomorrow **

Hooray for puppy love this Valentine’s Day!

We will be having a small (for ThoughtsFurPaws) contest for the hub-a-bub heart-happy holiday; it’s being generously sponsored by the following brands: Stella and Chewy’s®, Spring Naturals™ and Lickety Stik® by PetSafe®!

This Contest Is Nothin' to Snooze About; a Previous Entrant Can Tell You!

Did you know that, according to Business Wire, pet parents are so so enamored with their special furry someones – that as many as 64% of Americans pet owners will spoil their pet with a special gift this love season? They spend as much as $15 billion dollars collectively to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Well ThoughtsFurPaws and the aforementioned companies are happy to announce the Valentine’s Contest for Pooches for 2012!

Love to shower your pet with kisses? Then you’ll love Stella & Chewy’s® Carnivore Kisses™ Treats! These freeze-dried treats are made with only natural, premium raw meat and will perfectly compliment your pet’s diet. Every recipe is made without grains, glutens, fillers, added hormones or antibiotics, artificial preservatives and colorings. Carnivore Kisses are 100% nutritious and delicious and are available in 100% Angus Beef, 100% Chicken, 100% Duck and 100% Wild Alaskan Salmon.

Spring Naturals™ is a fresh new line of natural dinners and treats designed to nurture the health and well-being of dogs of all ages and breeds. The family of no-compromise recipes is made with real meats, whole vegetables, whole fruits and whole grains – meat, poultry or fish is always the first ingredient. Then whole chickpeas, green peas and eggs are added to offer pets a unique blend of high-quality proteins. And since these products do not contain meat, poultry or fish meals of any kind, they can be formulated without high-glycemic ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, potato starch or rice. Recently recognized by Pet Business in their 2011 Industry Recognition Awards, Spring Naturals was chosen as the year’s top pet food. Available in Whole Grain and Grain Free varieties (Organic line will arrive this March), Spring Naturals dinners and treats are made by a family-owned company in the USA.

For the pooch with model behavior here is a treat as lovely as he is. Lickety Stik® by PetSafe® is a new and innovative liquid treat for dogs that provides a healthy, all-natural snack while on-the-go. Designed with pet parents’ convenience in mind, Lickety Stik® is easy to throw into a purse or keep in your back pocket when heading out to the park or when packing for a road trip. Most importantly, dogs can’t get enough of this treat! With only 1 calorie in every 10 licks, this is a treat both consumers and their pets can feel good about. Lickety Stik® is available in three irresistible flavors – Savory Chicken, Braised Liver or Smoky Bacon. No matter your Valentine’s Day plans, Lickety Stik® is easy to pack, easy to treat and easy to fall in love with.

*** You can enter the contest by sending me a photo of your cute puppy or dog – he doesn’t have to be dressed up or doing anything silly – just send me your fave dog photo and tell me why it’s your fave and a little background behind the taking of the picture.***

 ♥ ♥ Email them to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com; please put “Valentine’s Day Contest” in the Subject Line. ♥ ♥